Murderand kidnapping charges against two northwest Ohio men have been dropped in aWest Virginia cold case investigation. Now the men are walking free on atechnicality.

Prosecutorsin West Virginia say they still think Charles Freeman and David Hughes areresponsible for the kidnapping and murder that occurred in Lewis County, WV in1999. In September, Freeman was arrested in Napoleon, and Hughes in Archbold.

Nowthe prosecutor says all charges against the pair have been dropped becausethere was an error in the charging process. The magistrate who signed theoriginal warrants for their arrest was a former deputy who investigated thecase in 1999. The defense says this violates their right to a fair trial.

TheLewis County Prosecutor says they agreed and dropped the charges, but says thecounty can re-file charges against Freeman and Hughes in the future. He saysfor now they will continue the investigation.